NYC Parks’ Queens Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski today joined Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer to break ground on a $2 million project to reconstruct Sunnyside’s Lance Corporal Thomas P. Noonan Jr. Playground with accessible play equipment, more swings and a new spray shower. They were joined at the event by members of Queens Community Board 2, local veterans and students from P.S. 199 and I.S. 125.

“Play is vital for all children, helping to develop their imaginations and keeping them active and healthy,” said Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski. “With that in mind, I am proud to announce that we are renovating Noonan Playground with colorful playground equipment that will be accessible to kids of all ages and abilities. I would like to thank Council Member Van Bramer for allocating the funds to help us improve this great community resource.”

“Noonan Playground is an important community hub for our seniors, families and local children,” said Council Member Van Bramer. “The renovations that begin today will expand the popular playground also known as “Rainbow Park,” introduce new green spaces, make the park safer for young children and forever commemorate the sacrifices our local veterans made for this great nation. This inclusive project is a wonderful example of what we can accomplish when we work together as a community to incorporate the needs of our local residents. I believe great parks equal great neighborhoods and with the feedback we have received from the community we will rebuild a better playground that everyone can enjoy.”

This project, funded by Council Member Van Bramer, will rebuild the children's play area with accessible play equipment and separate areas for toddlers and older children. The new playground will include more swings and a new spray shower. As part of this project, additional planted areas are being created within the playground, along Greenpoint Avenue and along 43rd Street. They will be planted with hardy shrubs – including euonymus, hollies and abelia, and flowering trees – including Kentucky yellowwoods, London plane trees and Japanese stewartia. Site drainage and lighting are also being improved, the main entrance is being partially reconstructed, and new bike racks, benches, paving and fencing are being installed. The project is scheduled to last one year.

New granite slabs will also be added to the base of the site’s flagpole as a monument to Brooklyn-born war hero, Lance Corporal Thomas P. Noonan (1943-1969), for whom the playground is named. On December 26, 1967 Noonan enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, and in July 1968, he was sent to the Republic of Vietnam, where he served as a mortarman and later as a rifleman in the Third Marine Division. In February of 1969, Noonan was killed in action while attempting to rescue wounded members of his company. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

As part of a separate project, expected to start this summer, $200,000 in funding from the Mayor’s Office will be used to reconstruct the site’s handball and basketball courts.